Report on Native Seed Gardening and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

This report examines the practice of native seed gardening, emphasizing its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The focus is on promoting biodiversity, supporting pollinators, and encouraging sustainable gardening practices that contribute to ecological balance and community well-being.

Challenges with Commercial Seed Mixes

1. Non-Native Wildflower Mixes:
   • Often composed of European and Asian flowers unrelated to local ecosystems.
   • May include invasive species harmful to native biodiversity.
   • Provide limited benefits to native insects and pollinators.
2. No-Mow Lawn Mixes:
   • Primarily contain clover species from Europe.
   • Offer minimal forage for most native bees and pollinators.
   • Susceptible to being overtaken by taller weeds, increasing maintenance needs.

Native Seed Gardening: Expectations and Realities

When native seeds are sown, particularly in disturbed soil, gardeners can expect the following:

• Emergence of Opportunistic Weeds: Disturbed soil triggers weed seed germination, often outnumbering native seedlings initially.
• Variable Germination Rates: Native seeds may have low or delayed germination, a natural survival strategy ensuring plant reproduction over multiple years.
• Annuals for Early Rewards: Some native seed mixes include annual species like partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) to provide visible growth in the first year.

Advantages of Nursery Plants Over Seeds

• Nurseries provide ideal growing conditions, increasing seedling survival rates.
• Seeds grown in nurseries face less competition and predation compared to those sown directly in gardens.
• Nursery plants support more reliable establishment of native species, aiding biodiversity.

Effective Use of Native Seeds in Sustainable Gardening

1. Natural Seed Propagation: Allowing plants to mature and drop seeds supports local wildlife and promotes natural garden regeneration, aligning with SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. Winter Sowing Technique:
   • Utilizes recycled materials (e.g., milk jugs) to create mini-greenhouses.
   • Enables cost-effective propagation of native plants, supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
   • Encourages community seed sharing, fostering social sustainability (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
3. Direct Seeding in Low-Competition Areas:
   • Suitable for newly prepared garden beds with minimal mowing.
   • Recommended species include self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), and butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), which support pollinators (SDG 15).

Recommendations for Gardeners

• Use native seeds to enhance local biodiversity and support pollinator populations, contributing to SDG 15.
• Engage in seed saving to promote sustainable gardening practices and community resilience.
• Utilize educational resources such as the University of Maryland Extension’s “All the Dirt on Winter Sowing Native Plants” video series to improve gardening success.

Conclusion

Native seed gardening, when practiced thoughtfully, aligns closely with multiple Sustainable Development Goals by fostering biodiversity, promoting sustainable land use, and encouraging community engagement. Gardeners are encouraged to prioritize native species, employ sustainable propagation methods, and participate in seed saving to contribute to ecological and social sustainability.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article focuses on native plants, biodiversity, and the importance of supporting native insects and pollinators, which directly relates to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The discussion about avoiding invasive species and misleading seed mixes promotes sustainable consumption choices in gardening.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Encouraging native planting and seed saving can contribute to ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration, indirectly supporting climate action.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 15.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
   • The article implies monitoring the presence and spread of invasive species and native plant coverage as a measure of habitat health.
2. Indicator for SDG 15.5: Red List Index (measuring extinction risk of species).
   • Supporting native plants and pollinators helps reduce extinction risk, which can be tracked through biodiversity indices.
3. Indicator for SDG 12.2: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
   • Choosing native seeds and avoiding invasive species reduces resource waste and promotes sustainable consumption patterns.
4. Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
   • While not directly mentioned, promoting native plant resilience contributes to ecosystem adaptation to climate change.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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